Agenda, decisions and minutes

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The minutes of the meeting held on 14^th October 2020 were agreed and signed by the Chair.

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Cabinet:

2.1               Noted the contents of the report and noted that future reports will set out the actions being taken by Corporate Management Board (CMB) to address issues arising.

2.2               Noted the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general fund for the financial year 2020/21 as set out at appendix 1 of the report.

2.3               Noted the amendments to the general fund capital programme as set out at paragraph 3.6.1 of the report.

2.4               Approved the use of HRA funds to finance the total development of Belgrave House, if the opportunity arises, as set out at paragraphs 3.7.3 and 3.7.4 of the report.

2.5               Approved the use of £10M of HRA funds, as approved by Council, to deliver the next tranche of ‘street property’ acquisitions, as set out in paragraph 3.7.5 of the report.

2.6               Noted that the Chief Finance Officer will use existing ‘emergency powers to facilitate the virement of funds/budget from the Government Grants received to the Service Budgets as appropriate and available as set out in 3.2.4 of the report.

Councillor Eldred as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted his report. Whilst the report specified a budget forecast variance of £141k it was at £0 with the help of government grants. The latest batch of business grants would be available on Friday and businesses are encouraged to apply on the Council’s website. Cost pressures were detailed in the report; Revenue & Benefits and Environmental Health had seen an increase in work during the lockdown periods. The final page of the report detailed grants received so far and it was explained that a further £2.9m had been received from the government. The government had also supplemented the Business Rates Relief Fund with a further £7m. The report also sought approval for the use of HRA funds, approved by full Council, to deliver the next tranche of “street property” acquisitions. It was also recommended that the Chief Finance Officer use existing “emergency powers” to facilitate the virement of funds from government grants received to the Service budgets as appropriate and available. Councillor Eldred reported that he had signed off a Single Cabinet Member Decision awarding covid grants to parish councils based on the number of band D equivalents – the total grant allocated was just under £100k. A table of awards would be published in due course.

Councillor Birch commented that the racecourse basketball refurbishment was a well thought out and supported project, she was happy the Council was match funding the grant from Sport England and hoped there was continued interest in developing the racecourse further.

Councillor Larratt stated that the changing rooms on the racecourse were letting down the park currently; he hoped that they would be brought back into proper and continued use in the future.

Members discussed the report.

RESOLVED:

Cabinet:

2.1            Noted the contents of the report and noted that future reports will set out the actions being taken by Corporate Management Board (CMB) to address issues arising.

2.2            Noted the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general fund for the financial year 2020/21 as set out at appendix 1 of the report.

2.3            Noted the amendments to the general fund capital programme as set out at paragraph 3.6.1 of the report.

2.4            Approved the use of HRA funds to finance the total development of Belgrave House, if the opportunity arises, as set out at paragraphs 3.7.3 and 3.7.4 of the report.

2.5            Approved the use of £10M of HRA funds, as approved by Council, to deliver the next tranche of ‘street property’ acquisitions, as set out in paragraph 3.7.5 of the report.

2.6            Noted that the Chief Finance Officer will use existing ‘emergency powers to facilitate the virement of funds/budget from the Government Grants received to the Service Budgets as appropriate and available as set out in 3.2.4 of the report.